Skip to content

The Pink Salmon

Pink Salmon is a Pacific salmon with a characteristically short, regular life cycle. Young move toward the sea soon after emerging, and adults usually return to spawn at two years old.

Pink Salmon fishing guide

Range and Identity

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha occurs on both sides of the North Pacific, with introduced populations elsewhere. Its two-year cycle produces distinct odd-year and even-year runs in many areas. The strength of those runs varies geographically rather than following one dominant year everywhere.

Habitat and Behavior

Young generally move directly toward estuarine and marine water instead of spending an extended juvenile period in rivers. After growing at sea, adults return to freshwater spawning habitat. Gravel redds and the coastal connection support different stages of this closely linked life cycle.

Food and Life History

Crustaceans, squid and small fishes provide food at sea. Adults die after spawning, and carcasses contribute nutrients to stream ecosystems. The compiled upper references are seventy-six centimeters total length and seven kilograms. They describe exceptional size rather than the average adult returning to a river.

Field Note

Keep the run year and river with a record. Odd-year and even-year populations can differ greatly in abundance within the same coastal region.

All Lakes With Pink Salmon

Browse lakes and reservoirs with documented Pink Salmon records, listed alphabetically. Records do not establish current abundance or public access. Check the evidence and managing authority for the water you choose.

Showing 1–24 of 142 lakes · Page 1 of 6

✉Join the Fishing Tips Daily newsletter waiting list

Our newsletter is not sending yet. Leave your email if you would like to hear from us when it launches.

By joining, you agree to receive our newsletter when it launches. To request removal before then, contact us. Read our privacy policy.